Tray mechanism.



M. M. HAMMOND.

TRAY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I4. 1916.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

awumdo'c W7??- Z a/WM MARY M. HAMMOND, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

TRAY MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 12, 1918,

Application filed February 14, 1916. Serial No. 78,283. I

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, MARY M. HAMMOND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Tray Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tray mechanisms.

The object of my invention is to provide novel and readily adjustable means for dividing a tray into compartments of any desired sizes.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel spring clamping means by which a partition member maybe releasably clamped in any desired position on a removable bottom member of a tray.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodlment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view partly broken away of a tray mechanism embodying my improvement, the upper tray being shown in the horizontal side position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the upper tray swung partly to the horizontal side position, the other two trays being shown superposed one upon the other, the cover being shown in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the removable bottom members and a removable partition mounted thereon.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the U shaped spring clips.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the different views.

1, 2 and 3 designate respectively the bottom, intermediate and upper trays. three trays being shown for the purpose of illustration.

Each tray is connected at its ends with the ends of the adjacent tray by meansof pairs of parallel links 4, each pair of links having its ends pivoted to the adjacent ends of the trays which it connects in a manner 'such that the trays may be swung from positions superposed one above the other to positions at one side of each other, see Fig. 1.

The upper edge of each tray is provided, preferably, with a continuous flange 5, which extends all around the upper edge of'the tray, and is adapted to fitin the lower side of the tray next above, when the trays are in the superposed position, so as to'hold the trays from lateral shifting relatively to each other, and also to prevent access of dirt or moisture at the joint between the trays, when the trays are exposed to inelement or dusty weather. The said flanges 5 are sufficiently shallow to permit the trays to freely swing to and from the superposed posltion.

The top tray 3 may have hinged to it a cover 6 adapted to receive the flange 5 on said tray.

The bottom tray may be provided with a removable bottom 7 having secured respectively to its opposite ends two upwardly extending plates 8 having each an outwardly turned flange 9 adapted to rest upon the flange 5 of the tray 1.

In each tray 2 and 3 may be mounted a removable bottom member 10, which may be of card board or any other suitable material, and which is adapted to have secured to its upper side a removable and laterally slidably adjustable partition member 11, which is relcasably secured to the member 10. For this purpose I preferably provide two springclips 12. each of U form, see 5, and bent in its middle in the form of a V, similar to what would be produced by bending an ordinary hair pin into V form. The clips 12 embrace the partition member 11 respectively adjacent to its ends, as shown in Fig. 4, with the ends of the arms of the clips extending under and tightly embracing the lower side of the bottom member 10 which supports the partition member.

By means of this construction, the partition member 11 may be adjusted and secured releasably in such position on the bottom member 10 as may be desired. The transverse portions of the clips 12 bear tightly upon the upper edge of the partition member. so that the said member is held by a yielding clamping pressure to the bottom member 10.

The removable bottom members 10 are adapted to support the articles, such as candies, which are to be carried in the trays.

The stationary bottoms 13 of the trays are disposed above the lower edges respectively of the trays for the purpose of providing space for the reception of the flanges 5 of the trays next below, and for the pur pose of carrying the articles to be displayed high in the trays so that they may be the more efficiently presented to View.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, as modifications, ithin the scope of the appended claims, may be made Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In a tray mechanism, a removable bottom member, adapted to be supported upon the bottom of a tray, a member removably mounted on the bottom member, and two U-shaped spring clips adapted to releasably embrace the second named member and to have the end portions of their arms releasand having its ends disposed respectively 'acljacent to opposite edges of the bottom member, and two U'shaped spring clips adapted to releasably embrace the partition member adjacent to the ends thereto and tohave the end portions of their arms releasably' clamp the'under side of the bottom member. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. V

'MARY M. HAMIIQND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. a 1 

